Federal judge blocks Seattle law banning cops from using pepper spray after police chief said it would be impossible to stop violent crowds
A federal judge has temporarily blocked a new law prohibiting Seattle cops from using pepper spray and other crowd control tools - just hours after the city's Police Chief blasted the legislation amid fears of weekend riots.
Last month, the Seattle City Council unanimously passed a bill - sponsored by far-left councilwoman Kshama Sawant - banning cops from deploying 'kinetic impact projectiles, chemical irritants, acoustic weapons, directed energy weapons, water cannons, disorientation devices, and ultrasonic cannons'.
The law, which was set to go into effect on Sunday, sparked outrage among officers, who claimed they would be unable to protect both peaceful protesters and property if demonstrations turned violent.
Seattle has seen riots play out between police and protesters over the past two months following Black Lives Matter marches.
On Wednesday night, authorities say around 150 people caused 'massive amounts of property damage' in Capitol Hill, with reports of 'looting, fireworks, and arson'
On Friday, Police Chief Carmen Best slammed the City Council for their new law, writing: 'As City Council’s legislation goes into effect, it will create even more dangerous circumstances for our officers to intervene using what they have left – riot shields and riot batons.'
Seattle's Police Chief Carmen Best blasted a new law prohibiting officers from using pepper spray and other crowd control tools - just hours before a federal judge temporarily blocked the new legislation amid fears of weekend riots
Hours later, at an emergency hearing, U.S. District Judge James Robart granted a request from the federal government to block the new law.
Robart said the issue needed more discussion between the city and the Justice Department before the change went into effect.
The U.S. Department of Justice has argued that banning the use of crowd control weapons could actually lead police to use more heavy handed tactics as they would only be left with more deadly weapons.
Ruling from the bench, just before 9 p.m., Robart said the temporary restraining order he granted would be 'very temporary'.
On Wednesday night, around 150 people cause 'massive amounts of property damage' in Capitol Hill, with reports of 'looting, fireworks, and arson'. The windows of one Whole Foods were smashed and the store was looted. Clean-up on Thursday is pictured
Last month, a small section of Capitol Hill was occupied by protesters who pushed police out of their precinct and created the Capitol Hill Occupied Protest Zone- known as CHAZ or CHOP. Police arrest a protester on July 1 as they dismantled the area
Police cleared out protesters from CHOP on July 1 and, on July 3, pictured, defended the area
'I urge you all to use it as an occasion to try to find out where it is we are and where it is we're going,' Robart said.
'I can't tell you today if blast balls are a good idea or a bad idea, but I know that sometime a long time ago I approved them.'
Meanwhile, federal agents have been dispatched to Seattle to protect federal property as civil unrest continues.
President Trump has blasted 'radical Left' leaders in the city, and claimed 'domestic terrorists' have taken over.
Last month, a small section of Capitol Hill was occupied by protesters who pushed police out of their precinct and created the Capitol Hill Occupied Protest Zone- known as CHAZ or CHOP.
Demonstrators took over the several block area for about two weeks until authorities returned in force and cleared out the area on July 1 after two fatal shootings.
However, unruly demonstrations have continued.
In addition to the extensive property damage on Wednesday night, 12 officers were left injured during clashes last Sunday.
On that night, activists ransacked shops and set fire to a police precinct.
Seattle has been the scene of widespread demonstrations in recent months, with some residents calling for the police department to be abolished. Protesters are pictured last week
Federal judge blocks Seattle law banning cops from using pepper spray after police chief said it would be impossible to stop violent crowds
![Federal judge blocks Seattle law banning cops from using pepper spray after police chief said it would be impossible to stop violent crowds]()
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July 26, 2020
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